In the News: SafERteens
Trinity Health Muskegon recently announced the expansion of SafERteens – an evidence-based, youth violence prevention program – into three Muskegon-area Public School Districts. This expansion is made possible thanks to a $318,000 grant from the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program.
In a recently interview on 103.7 FM The Beat “Community Focus”, Trinity Health Muskegon Injury Prevention Coordinator Dr. Holly Alway, Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson and I joined host Melvin Burns II to discuss the the SafERteens Program and to thank the many, many individuals who have helped make the expansion of the program possible.
Collaboration with Muskegon Schools
The program’s rollout involves three key school districts: Muskegon and Orchard View Public Schools and the Muskegon Heights Public School Academy. By integrating SafERteens into these educational settings, the initiative reaches students directly where they spend a significant portion of their day. School administrators have welcomed the program as an additional support system to manage at-risk students, providing timely interventions tailored to each school’s, as well as each student’s, unique needs.
Expanding the Role of Community Health Workers
Centers for Disease Control-funded research in the Trinity Health Muskegon Emergency Room has demonstrated Community Health Workers (CHWs) can play a pivotal role in the delivery of the SafERteens intervention, and in the program’s success. As integral members of the local community, specially trained CHWs connect with students, understand their needs, and can guide them towards available resources.
Recently, Grand Haven Tribune reporter Addelyn Wachter wrote an article highlighting the impact CHW’s are making with youth in participating schools. You can read her article on the May 27, 2025 Grand Haven Tribune Website (paywall).
A Community Effort
The SafERteens Program in Muskegon County represents a significant step forward in addressing local youth violence and firearm-related injuries. The program is made possible through the combined efforts of Trinity Health Muskegon, the Muskegon Prosecutor’s Office, local public school administrators, the Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center, and many, many others.
Parents and local residents play a crucial role in supporting these efforts. The program’s transparency and open communication are vital to its success, encouraging families to engage with the interventions and discuss their impacts with their children.
By demonstrating success in Muskegon, the program aims to serve as a model for addressing youth violence nationwide. The collaboration with the University of Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center ensures that the SafERteens program remains grounded in research and evidence-based practices and provides opportunities for continual evaluation and adaptation.